These new luxe off-roaders are ready to go anywhere with style, comfort, and even speed.
Going off-road is one of the most exciting ways to drive. Whether it’s for the challenging topography, the stunning views of natural beauty, or the thrill of all-terrain driving, off-roading is many enthusiasts’ idea of fun behind the wheel. When it comes to manufacturing off-road-capable vehicles, decades of heritage have made way for legendary pedigrees to be formed, with vehicles that have an honored reputation for being able to go places where most other vehicles won’t.
In recent years, a staggering number of luxury off-roaders have emerged, adding sumptuous comfort and elegant style to rugged versatility. Both manufacturers with decades of history in the off-roading world and new players in the arena have unveiled new luxury off-roaders recently, making 2025 an exciting time for any automotive enthusiast to travel off the beaten path.
Defender OCTA
Land Rover’s legendary Defender name has evolved into becoming its own brand, and with it came its recently unveiled flagship offering, the OCTA. This version is the most luxurious and powerful iteration of the Defender, boasting a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine boasting 626 horsepower. Its moniker is inspired by the signature shape of a diamond, a notoriously tough and luxurious material that inspires the ethos of the new flagship SUV.
Combining power with enhanced off-road capabilities, the new Defender OCTA boasts a suspension lift, a wider stance than the standard car, and unique suspension technology. Defender is preparing to enter the Dakar Rally in 2026 and is standing behind the OCTA’s capabilities as the basis for its entries in the legendary race.
RUF Rodeo
The recent introduction of vehicles like the Porsche 911 Dakar and the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato has ushered in a new era of off-road supercars, which echo the go-anywhere thrill of rally racers, along with the glamor and head-turning panache of high-performance machines.
With an added dose of retro-inspired flair, German performance engineering icon RUF threw its hat in the ring, with the reveal of its Rodeo model late last year at Monterey Car Week. It’s powered by a 610-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six engine with all-wheel drive and uses RUF’s own carbon fiber monocoque to combine stiffness and lightness to create a truly thrilling all-terrain machine. A classic silhouette and a six-speed manual transmission add to the enthusiast-focused fun of the new Rodeo.
Lexus LX700h
For decades, the LX has served as the flagship luxury SUV for Lexus, and the latest generation of the cherished model featured extensive updates, including executive rear seating and a new V6 powertrain. However, late 2024 saw the introduction of a more powerful flagship variant of the LX, the new Lexus LX 700h.
The new model boasts a hybrid twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6, which boasts 457 horsepower and 583 lb/ft of torque, a significant upgrade from the LX 600. In addition to the new model variant, Lexus also introduced an Overtrail trim for the new LX 700h. This not only adds rugged style and off-roading-oriented kit to the luxury SUV but also takes advantage of its hybrid powertrain to make off-roading even easier.
Audi Q6 e-tron offroad Concept
Audi is one of the most prominent forces in the luxury automotive landscape when it comes to electrification, with a rapidly expanding lineup of electric models. Audi’s electric luxury SUV based on the new PPE platform is the Q6 e-tron, and Audi recently unveiled a new excursion-ready concept version of it, which is wider than the standard car, along with a 6.3-inch suspension lift, and conventional portal axles for improved torque on low-traction surfaces.
With its off-roading-focused tweaks, the new Q6 e-tron offroad Concept is capable of climbing up to 45-degree grades, according to Audi. Showing the versatility and potential of Audi’s PPE platform to create enjoyable luxury vehicles and highly capable off-roaders alike, the new Q6 e-tron offroad Concept is an intriguing take on an electric luxury SUV, and one that hopefully makes it to production for off-road enthusiasts to enjoy.
CALLUM SKYE
CALLUM was founded in 2019 by the eponymous legendary British automotive designer Ian Callum. Responsible for icons like the Aston Martin Vanquish, the new CALLUM brand is using cutting-edge engineering to push the boundaries of the automotive industry, and the new SKYE is its first model fully developed in-house.
The SKYE is described by CALLUM as a “multi-terrain electric vehicle,” with a unique 2+2 body style, striking design that combines ruggedness and futurism, and elegant luxury. Its targeted weight of just over 2,535 pounds with perfect 50:50 distribution, combined with electric power, are set to make it a thrill to drive both on and off-road, with a 0-60 time projected at under four seconds, and its 42-kWh battery aiming for a 170-mile range. With its unique approaches, the new CALLUM SKYE aims to represent the future of automotive wanderlust.
This article appeared in our May 2025 Issue.
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